Health Matters: Treatment for Parkinson's Disease

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It’s the most common diagnosed movement disorder, but Parkinson ’s disease has no known cure. Health experts at Lee Memorial Health System say there is an alternative treatment available to help the thousands of people living with Parkinson ’s disease. It’s called deep brain stimulation. It’s a surgical procedure that can help patients with the side effects of Parkinson’s disease.

“They take a probe and they go down to the inside of the brain to where the tremors are coming from. You’re actually awake during the surgery so they can see if your symptoms improve when they turn on the electric. They have a small battery pack, like a pace maker that they hook up later” explained Dr. Wendy Bond, a neurologist on the Lee Memorial Health System medical staff.

Dr. Bond says during the procedure, neurosurgeons implant a battery device to deliver electric stimulation to targeted areas in the brain that control movement. The results are noticed instantly when the device is turned on.

Patients like Joe Tentler say he noticed the difference immediately. “I had no tremors and no stiffness.” At 39, Joe was diagnosed with Parkinson ’s disease. By 40, his symptoms had quickly progressed. “I was shocked. I was kind of scared.”

After years of taking medication, Joe was recommended by Dr. Bond for the deep brain stimulation. “When I initially started seeing Joe I had to go to his house. He couldn’t even drive. He could barely walk” said Dr. Bond. She said his age and health made Joe a great candidate for the surgery.

“You have to make sure there is no depression, no cognitive loss, or memory impairment. We have to make sure they’re able to undergo the surgery” she explained.

In 2015, Joe had his first deep brain stimulation surgery on the left side of his brain. In 2016, he had the same surgery on the right side of his brain.

“It’s not a cure, but it’s incredible. This leg used to lock up and it used to shake but once I got those batteries on it’s gone” he said.

Joe is now able to walk, exercise, and even drive again. Dr. Bond doesn’t foresee any more surgeries for him.